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Leading Iowa — Government
Leading Iowa

Good Government in Iowa’s Cities

Copyright: © 2024

Latest Episodes:

The Year of the Small City in Iowa Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

For the past year Christina Eicher has been focused on Iowa's small cities. As outgoing president of the Iowa League of Cities, representing smaller cities has been her focus. She leaves after a year with a better understanding of smaller cities and says she provided a voice for those cities among Iowa's bigger cities.

Listen to how she managed being League president while also serving as a city clerk and a city councilwoman.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Making a Difference in Decorah and Inwood Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Two people I always check in with are together in this episode. Travis Goedken is the city manager of Decorah, and Becca Bixler is the mayor of Inwood. Both agree that having an impact on your city is the best part of the job. Both say there are extras on the job you don't always see coming, like being on different boards, more meetings and talking to more people. Both of them, however, love their jobs and providing the best government they can.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Preparing for Public Service, but Not for Chickens Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Be prepared, that's the advice of Tom Wieseler, mayor of Mount Vernon and Nick Otis, new city council member in Polk City. Both city leaders say they came into the job knowing what the job entailed, so when they finally got elected, they were prepared. Although, as the mayor will tell you, he was not necessarily ready for the complaints about chickens.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Dubuque City Manager reflects on 33 Years Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Planning, Partnerships and People, that's the key to success in running a city says Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen. Retiring after 33 years as city manager, he joins Dubuque City Mayor Brad Cavanagh to talk about the job and his favorite place for pizza.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Passion and Commitment: What It Takes to Serve in City Government Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

On this episode, we hear from three local government leaders: Jeff Pomeranz, city manager of Cedar Rapids; Scott Peterson, city administrator for Jefferson; and Steve Richardson, mayor of Indianola and current president of the Iowa League of Cities.

Three different leaders. Three different roles. Yet they all share the same message: success in city government starts with a commitment to public service and a willingness to keep learning.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Lots of Moving Parts to a City Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Dirk Cavanaugh, Mayor of Perry, says when he was first elected mayor, what surprised him most was the number of operations the city ran and things he didn't think about, like a cemetery.

Also, listen to how a new mayor deals with a city crisis. Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of Riverdale, says when he took office, he got a real appreciation for how all the parts of the city work together. He says while progress can be slow, it's important to hear from all voices as the city moves forward. Including, he emphasized, young people.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Yeah Baby, See You in Bettendorf! Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Bob Gallagher is the Mayor of Bettendorf and the host of this year's Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference & Exhibit. He has a lot planned for the conference and invited all members to see the best of the Quad Cities. Be prepared to move all around the area.

We also talked about smart growth, new projects and the new snowplow. Yeah baby!

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Wanna Know Where Your Money Goes? Work for Your City Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Two different public servants, two different jobs, but the same idea. If you want to know where your money goes and how government spends it, work for your city.

Stephanie Harden, Council Bluffs Accounting Manager, said she learns a lot about city government every time she writes a check. Sarah Snitker, Waukon City Clerk, says she understands a lot more about how cities operate now that she works for city government.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Small Town Mayor, Big Job Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

As mayor of the city of Truro, population 515, Bryan Arzani has to dig in on almost every issue. Listen to him talk about the challenges of running a small city and how he works with a small staff and a tight budget. And there may be a new judge in the Truro barbecue cook-off.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Sour Cream on Your Baked Potato in Boone May 19, 2026

Show notes

City Administrator Ondrea Elmquist joins the show to talk about the new Daisy Brand plant coming to Boone. The company is spending over $1 billion on the new facility and it has a spillover effect on the area.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

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